Essay Requirements

Select your program of interest below to view the essay requirements:

Arts Administration

Essay Requirements:

Write an essay of 8 to 10 pages discussing all of the following topics. This essay is extremely important, as it demonstrates your ability to write and to develop thoughtful responses.

  1. What has been your involvement in the arts and in arts administration up to the this point?
  2. What are your professional goals in the area of arts administration, and how do you believe this program will help you to achieve these goals?
  3. Please provide a brief autobiography highlighting the experiences that have been important in shaping your thinking and your goals in arts administration. How have your thoughts and ideas been changed or expanded through your experiences with people and organizations in the arts?
  4. What do you expect to be your strongest characteristics as a graduate student? What do you expect to be some of your challenges?
  5. What do you consider to be the most important piece of information that the Admissions Committee should know as it considers your application?

Cultural Sustainability

Essay requirements:

Write and essay of not less than 1,000 words, discussing all three topics below. This essay is extremely important as it demonstrates your ability to clearly and concisely commit your ideas in writing. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself.

  1. What is your interest in cultural sustainability, and why does this concept matter to you?
  2. Please give a brief autobiography highlighting the experiences that have been important in shaping your goals.
  3. Why have you selected a low-residency rather than a traditional, on-campus graduate program?

Digital Arts

Essay requirements:

Write an essay of no fewer than 1,000 words, discussing all three topics below. This essay is extremely important as it demonstrates your ability and desire to successfully complete the program. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself.

  1. What is your interest in digital arts, and why does participation in a cross-disciplinary graduate program matter to you?
  2. Please give a brief autobiography highlighting the experiences that shape your current goals in digital arts.
  3. Why have you selected a low-residency rather than a traditional, on-campus graduate program?

Portfolio requirements: 

A portfolio of work samples (minimum of 3). Online or DVD portfolios are encouraged.

Environmental Studies

Essay requirements:

Write an essay of not less than 1,000 words discussing all three topics below. This essay is extremely important as it demonstrates your ability to clearly and concisely commit your ideas in writing. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself.

  1. What features of Goucher's Environmental Studies program interest you and why?
  2. Describe your professional and academic goals in this field, focusing on what aspects matter the most to you and why.
  3. Why have you selected low-residency rather than a traditional, on-campus graduate program? One of the benefits of low-residency is that it allows you to collaborate with organizations in your community. What are some of the resources in your community that you would like to draw upon during your graduate career?

Historic Preservation

Essay requirements:

Write an essay of not less than 1,000 words discussing all three topics below. This essay is extremely important as it demonstrates your ability to clearly and concisely commit your ideas in writing. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself.

  1. What features of Goucher's Historic Preservation program interest you and why?
  2. Describe your professional and academic goals in this field, focusing on what you feel is significant about historic preservation in America today.
  3. Why have you selected low-residency rather than a traditional, on-campus graduate program? One of the benefits of low-residency is that it allows you to collaborate with organizations in your community. What are some of the resources in your community that you would like to draw upon during your graduate career?

Management

Essay requirements:

Write an essay of not less than 1,000 words discussing all three topics, below. The essay is extremely important, as it demonstrates your ability to clearly and concisely commit your ideas in writing. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself.

  1. Explain why you have chosen to pursue your graduate work through Goucher's Management program rather than through other types of management programs.
  2. What drives you and inspires you? What is your personal vision for how this degree will help you meet your personal and professional goals?
  3. Why have you selected a low-residency rather than a traditional, on-campus graduate program? One of the benefits of low-residency is that is allows you to collaborate with organizations in your community. What are some of the resources in your community that you would like to draw upon during your studies?

Nonfiction

Writing samples requirements:

One copy of a double-spaced 25- to 35-page writing sample of original nonfiction writing, published or unpublished. The writing sample may be one long piece or several shorter ones. It should demonstrate an ability to write a more creative form of creative, or narrative, nonfiction.

Essay requirements:

One copy of a double-spaced three- to five-page personal statement that addresses the applicant's expectations for the program, professional writing goals and interests, and reasons for seeking the M.F.A. in Nonfiction. The statement should also demonstrate writing ability.